Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, a medication originally developed for diabetes treatment, has shown promising results in a landmark trial, leading to the potential expansion of its use beyond diabetes treatment. The company plans to file for regulatory approvals for an indication expansion in the US and the European Union this year based on these findings.
Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy in the US, is currently prescribed for obesity and weight loss, even to individuals without diabetes, in a 2.4 mg strength weekly injection. The drug works by attaching itself to receptors of gut hormones, which leads to delayed gastric emptying, improved insulin secretion, and reduced appetite. It has become a popular choice for obesity treatment.
In India, semaglutide is marketed under the brand name Rybelsus in a lower-dose pill form, although it is not widely available. The new findings from Novo Nordisk’s trial could be significant for a country like India, which faces a high burden of cardiovascular diseases. A study conducted by researchers associated with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and the Indian Council of Medical Research revealed that a significant percentage of Indians suffer from hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, conditions that put them at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The SELECT trial, conducted by Novo Nordisk, enrolled 17,604 overweight or obese adults aged 45 years or older who had established cardiovascular disease but no prior history of diabetes. The trial, which lasted for five years, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo. The results showed promising outcomes, with semaglutide proving effective in weight management and reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death.
Diabetologists and medical experts in India welcomed the findings, but some advised caution. While semaglutide has proven to be a powerful agent for controlling diabetes and obesity, nausea, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea are known side effects of the drug. However, no instances of stomach paralysis, as reported by CNN, have been seen by Indian doctors so far.
Dr. V. Mohan, a diabetologist from Chennai, described semaglutide as a runaway success, particularly for its ability to control diabetes and obesity. He stated that the additional benefit of reducing cardiovascular disease risk was welcome news and adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of semaglutide. Dr. Ashish Govil, a senior consultant in interventional cardiology, advised using the drug strictly under a physician’s supervision, emphasizing that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The potential expansion of semaglutide’s use beyond diabetes treatment could have profound implications for patients with obesity and cardiovascular diseases, offering a promising solution for weight management and reducing associated risks. Novo Nordisk’s upcoming regulatory filings in the US and the European Union aim to facilitate these expanded applications for the drug, providing new treatment options for patients in need. As the full study is awaited, medical professionals and researchers eagerly anticipate the publication of Novo Nordisk’s findings in a peer-reviewed journal by year-end, further solidifying the drug’s potential benefits.
